iPhone 17 Air: Redefining Thinness in Smartphone Design
Whispers of an exceptionally slender iPhone have been circulating, and a recent research note from Haitong investment bank analyst Jeff Pu, reported by MacRumors, seems to corroborate these claims. Pu suggests the tentatively named “iPhone 17 Air” (or “iPhone 17 Slim,” as he calls it) could measure a mere 6mm thin. This potential development has ignited considerable interest in the tech world, prompting speculation about the future of iPhone design.
A New Era of Slim: Pushing the Boundaries of Design
A 6mm profile would be a groundbreaking achievement for Apple, eclipsing the current record of 6.9mm held by the iPhone 6. This represents a significant reduction compared to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models, which are approximately 25% thicker. While technological limitations regarding battery and component size exist, a 6mm iPhone would still represent a remarkable feat of engineering, delivering a noticeably lighter and more compact device compared to recent models.
A Look Back: iPhone Thickness Evolution
The potential slimness of the iPhone 17 Air becomes even more striking when viewed in the context of iPhone history. Here’s a comparison of thicknesses across various generations:
iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max: 8.25mm
iPhone 16/16 Plus: 7.8mm
iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max: 8.25mm
iPhone 15/15 Plus: 7.8mm
iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max: 7.85mm
iPhone 14/14 Plus: 7.8mm
iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max/13/13 mini: 7.65mm
iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max/12/12 mini: 7.4mm
iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max: 8.1mm
iPhone 11/XR: 8.3mm
iPhone XS/XS Max/X: 7.7mm
iPhone 8 Plus: 7.5mm
iPhone 8/7 Plus: 7.3mm
iPhone 7/6s Plus/6s: 7.1mm
iPhone 6 Plus: 7.1mm
iPhone 6: 6.9mm
* Rumored iPhone 17 Air: 6mm
Pre-iPhone 6 models ranged from 7.6mm to a substantial 12.3mm. While the iPhone 17 Air may claim the title of slimmest iPhone, it’s worth noting that other Apple devices, like the 2024 13-inch iPad Pro (5.1mm) and the last iPod nano (5.4mm), hold even thinner profiles.
iPhone 17 Air: A Glimpse into the Future
Rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 Air paint a picture of a redesigned device with a focus on sleek aesthetics. While specifics remain fluid, a 6.6-inch display seems likely. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts an A19 chip, Dynamic Island, single rear camera, and a proprietary 5G modem. Pu echoes the 6.6-inch display prediction, adding aluminum frame, Face ID, a 48MP rear camera, a 24MP front camera, and 8GB of RAM for enhanced AI capabilities.
With a potential September 2025 release, the iPhone 17 Air is still on the distant horizon. As such, these early projections should be taken with a grain of salt, as the final product may deviate significantly. However, the prospect of an ultra-thin iPhone is undoubtedly exciting, hinting at a new chapter in Apple’s design philosophy.
